The Miraculous Tale of the Two Maries

by Rosemary Wells, Petra Mathers (Illustrator)

In the south of France there is a tiny town called Saintes Maries de la Mer. Inside the town church is a wooden boat . . . with two wooden ladies—one in a rose dress and one in blue. Both are called Marie. Traveling in their modest wooden boat, the mysterious two Saint Maries are said to have performed forty miracles during the 19th century. But who were these two saints? Inspired by this question, Rosemary Wells crafts a vivid portrayal of the saints as sixteen-year-old friends drifting through the skies in their boat, meeting with God himself, and swooping down to Earth to perform loving good deeds. Award-winning illustrator Petra Mathers’ whimsical illustrations top off this enchantingly unique picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, France, Childrens, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring story about these saintly little girls, Marie and Marie!

Rosemary Wells tells the story of these two French saints as sixteen-year-old friends. They wind up sailing through the skies in their boat.

Meeting with God!

Then sailing down to Earth to perform good deeds, acts of kindness and love.

FIVE STARS

I love how this book isn't self-conscious about telling this story. Rosemary Wells just gets on with it and lets the story tell itself.

[Bethel Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice intro to historical fiction. A little too advanced for the children who wanted me to check it out from the library for them (they are 3) but the fact that they even picked it up speaks to the eye-catching, imaginative illustrations. Love Rosemary's take on this.

[eRin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosemary Wells wandered into a church in a tiny town in the south of France named Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. In the church she discovered pictures of miracles and a wooden boat with two wooden ladies in it. Wells knew that she didn't believe the church's explanation of these miracles, so she wrote this book with her idea of how the miracles came about. She imagines that the two Maries were best friends who faced an untimely death and then made a deal with God that they would live a life of good deeds in exchange for seeing their families for five more minutes. And that is how the two young girls came to row around heaven, spot those friends and neighbors in need, and ruch down to help them.

I liked Wells' imaginative interpretation of these saints. It's a little strange in the beginning with them dying and all, and the deal with God doesn't really come to any conclusions, but overall it was a unique story of helping others and taking care of one's family.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this to my special needs teenage son but after the two girls die and go to Heaven and then 'sneak' out of Heaven after whinning to God to be able to go back to earth to do good. I stopped reading it to him. I didn't want to confuse him that a person can die then come back to earth.

But I did read it myself and I do understand what the author was trying to get across. It sends a nice message as the two girls did get to come back to earth wasn't sure if they were angels or if they were themselves if people could see them but others could hear them. They saved the lives of others. And in turn the people they saved went the the girls parents and helped care for them.

It just sent the wrong message for me for my children. So be aware of the mixed message it does send.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book... I am never really a fan of children's books where the main characters die up front, especially if the result is particularly fantastical. I liked it a little better after reading the author's note, but felt even more strongly about leaving this topic matter for the 9-12 set... but of course, that's just me. I did find it amusing that one of the Maries had a sister named Juliette. Ha ha.

[Laura]

This is a wonderful fictional story about two saints of France, both named Marie. The author of this story comes up with their life stories. Children learning about religion around the world could use this book to take a look into Christianity and the use of saints in some sects of the religion. This book would be great in a private school classroom where students might more commonly learn about saints.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting fictional account about two girls who are the subject of a group of pictures of miracles that occurred in France. The story delves into the metaphysical world as a way to explain how the two Marie's were able to effect so many miracles. It's a sweet story and although a bit long, our girls really enjoyed it.

[Kathy Ellen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very interesting picture book.
I LOVED the author note at the beginning and how she imagined a story from a sculpture.

It's a fun story and makes you wonder about the saints.
The illustrations are colorful and lively too.

A nice story!

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: Loved it! Very imaginative and thought provoking.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly the way I like to present the after life to my children, but an entertaining enough fantastical tale.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the story, but the writing and the pictures are just so so. I liked this because I learned something. I would recommend it on a story level...beyond that...well... not so much!~